BEVERLY HILLS, March 25, (THEWILL) –Â Professor Peter Ogban was on Thursday sentenced to three years imprisonment for alleged roles in the manipulation of election results.
Ogban, a professor of soil science, University of Calabar, and a returning officer in the 2019 general elections in Akwa Ibom North-West District, was charged for manipulating the election results of two local government areas – Oruk Anam and Etim Ekpo.
Godswill Akpabio, the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, was the APC candidate in the election while Chris Ekpenyong, a former Deputy Governor in Akwa Ibom State was the PDP aspirant.
Delivering judgement on Thursday, the High Court in Akwa-Ibom State, presided over by Justice Odokwo, found Ogban guilty of fraudulent manipulation of election results, publishing and announcing of false results.
He was sentenced to three years imprisonment and a N100,000 fine.
Ogban was prosecuted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the landmark case.
The PDP candidate, Chris Ekpenyong, a former Deputy Governor in Akwa Ibom State, defeated Akpabio in the election, which was gripped by pockets of violence.
